What would happen in a switched lan where STP is enabled and one would set Max Age smaller than Hello Time???
Would the lan stay in learning mode forever then?

December 18th, 2003, 04:02 PM

Networker

I'm pretty sure that the network would never converge.
Max age (IEEE default value 20s) is the life an information, and hello (IEEE default value 2s) is the frequency of information exchange.
When you discard an information before receiving any you're in trouble. I never tried but as a result I guess that every single brigde would think they are root, and you'll get a big bad loop...

December 18th, 2003, 04:07 PM

el-half

Thx, already started wondering if someone had actually heard about the STP ever on the internet? (No replies on this question on 2 other forums either). :D

December 18th, 2003, 04:11 PM

Networker

Well very few are layer 2 aware...
When you've got your PC directly connected on the web by DSL or whatever, you may even not known what is a layer 2.

Anyway, I've seen recently some excellent post on AO about bridge threats and security issue.

December 18th, 2003, 04:16 PM

el-half

Quote:

When you've got your PC directly connected on the web by DSL or whatever

That's the case with me, i've never seen a switch or a router in reality (only my wireless dsl router here then but no normal router). (I'm only 16 so I have 0 work experience).
I got interested in Layer 2 when I read "Fun with the Spanning Tree Protocol" (Latest phrack).

December 18th, 2003, 04:21 PM

Networker

I see your are one of these curious guys... Curiosity is somthing we share

Originally posted here by el-half
I got interested in Layer 2 when I read &quot;Fun with the Spanning Tree Protocol&quot; (Latest phrack).

Ammo

December 19th, 2003, 04:56 PM

SirDice

Crap. My mistake :( That's what you get around this time of the year. Too many christmas/old year drinks with the bosses. Too much beer, not enough sleep and still making it on time at work. Oh well....